Blower and vacuum device

ABSTRACT

A blower nozzle (30) and a vacuum nozzle (40) extending in parallel with each other are connected to a main body (10) housing therein a fan (19) and a motor (20). The main body (10) is provided with a dust bag (50). In a vacuum mode, air is directly sucked from the vacuum nozzle and is introduced into the dust bag by the rotation of the fan. In a blower mode, the air similarly sucked from the vacuum nozzle is directed toward the blower nozzle.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.08/604,507, filed Feb. 21, 1996, now abandoned and further claimspriority based on 35 U.S.C. § and 35 U.S.C. § to Japanese PatentApplication No. 8-245689, filed Aug. 28, 1996 and Internationalapplication PCT/JP97/00469, filed Feb. 20, 1997, respectively.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a blower-vacuum apparatus, and moreparticularly, to a type thereof capable of switching between an airblowing blower mode and an air sucking vacuum mode.

BACKGROUND ART

A conventional blower-vacuum apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,870,714. According to the disclosed apparatus, an air suction port andan air discharge port are formed in a main body, so that the air suctionport is in confrontation with a fan disposed in the main body and theair discharge port is positioned perpendicularly with respect to an axisof the fan. In a vacuum mode, the air suction port is connected to asuction tube (vacuum nozzle) and the air discharge port is connected toa dust bag. By rotation of the fan, air and dust is introduced into thesuction tube and directed into the dust bag through the main body. Inthe blower mode, the suction tube is detached from the air suction port,and a filter is attached to an open end of the air suction port forpreventing dust from being introduced into the main body. Further, thedust bag is detached from the air discharge port, and an air blower tube(blower nozzle) having a tapered shape in which a diameter is graduallyreduced toward its tip is connected to the air discharge port.Accordingly, air passing through the filter and introduced into the mainbody is blown outside through the air blower tube.

However, each time the blower-vacuum apparatus disclosed in the U.S.Pat. No. 4,870,714 is switched between the vacuum mode and the blowermode, the suction tube and the filter must be exchanged and the dust bagand the air blower tube must be exchanged, which is troublesome.

Japanese Utility Model Application laid open publication No. Hei 4-80454discloses a dust collecting apparatus in which a suction tube (vacuumnozzle) extending in a axial direction of a fan is connected to a mainbody, and an outlet tube extending in a direction perpendicular to theaxis of the fan is connected to a dust bag through a joint. The joint isprovided with a branch pipe to which a blower tube (blower nozzle) isconnected through a rubber tube. A blower opening of the blower tube ispositioned close to a suction opening of the suction tube. Air and dustintroduced into the suction tube is directed into the dust bag throughthe main body, the outlet tube, and the joint. A part of the suction airis also directed to the blower tube through the branch pipe, so that theair is blown to a position close to the opening of the suction tube.Because of this air, rubbish and dust accumulated in indentations on theground is blown out of the indentations to facilitate suction of theflying rubbish and dust into the suction tube.

However, the dust collecting apparatus disclosed in the laid openUtility Model Application publication No. Hei 4-80454 blows air duringsuction cleaning work so that a part of the suction air sucked throughthe suction tube is utilized for air blowing. Accordingly, the blowingair may contain dust, thereby lowering the dust-collecting efficiency ofthe device. Further, the device is not designed to operate in a blowermode only.

Japanese Utility Model laid open application publication No. Hei 3-92454discloses a dust collecting apparatus in which one end of an air feedtube is connected to a blower and another end of the air feed tube isconnected to a confluence tube which is connected to a dust bag. Theconfluence tube includes an air feed passage, a dust suction passage anda branch passage. Further, a pivotable change-over valve is provided inthe confluence tube. The air feed passage approximately linearlyconnects the air feed tube and the dust bag. The dust suction passagebranches off the air feed passage and has one end connected to acleaning tube. The branch passage connects the air feed passage to thedust suction passage. In a vacuum mode, the change-over valve ispivotally moved to a position for closing an opening of the branchpassage, so that the air from the blower is directed to the dust bag byway of the air feed tube, and the air feed passage. Because of this airflow, air in the dust suction passage is subjected to sucking, andtherefore, the dust is sucked through the top end of the cleaning tubeand is collected in the dust bag. In a blower mode, the change-overvalve is pivotally moved to a position for closing an opening of the airfeed passage, so that the air from the blower is directed to thecleaning tube by way of the air feed tube and the branch passage.

However, because the dust collection apparatus disclosed in the JapaneseUtility Model Application publication No. Hei 3-92454 is designed tosuck ambient air by flowing air, in comparison with the blower vacuumapparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,870,714, in which suction can beexclusively performed, suction power will be inferior assuming that thedust collection apparatuses have power sources with identical output.Further, since the pivotable change-over valve is directly exposed inthe passage, dust and rubbish may become entangled in the valve andrender the change-over valve inoperable.

Another conventional blower vacuum apparatus is shown in FIGS. 15 and16. The apparatus includes a main body 310, a blower nozzle 330, and avacuum nozzle 340. The main body 310 includes a fan case 313accommodating a fan 319, a motor case 314 accommodating a motor 320, anda dust case 315 positioned below the motor case 314. A handle 312 isprovided above the fan case 313. The fan case 313 has an upper wall inconfrontation with the fan 319, and the upper wall is formed with gridlike air inlet ports 313a. The dust case 315 is connected to a dust bag350. The motor 320 has an output shaft 321 whose one end is connected tothe fan 319. Another end of the output shaft 321 is connected to acutter blade 318 positioned within the dust case 315.

The blower nozzle 330 extends in a direction perpendicular to therotation axis of the fan 319, and has one end attached to the main body310 and another end formed with an air blowing port 330a. The vacuumnozzle 340 extends in parallel with and integrally with the blowernozzle 330 and has one end attached to the main body 310 and another endformed with a suction port 340a. A change-over valve 373 is rotatablysupported within the blower port 330a of the blower nozzle 330. Thechange-over valve 373 can be changed over between a vacuum mode positionin which the valve shuts off the blower port 330a as shown in FIG. 15and a blower mode position in which the valve opens the blower port 330aas shown in FIG. 16.

In the blower mode, if the change-over valve 373 is rotated to itsblower mode position and the fan 319 is rotated, air is introduced intothe fan case 313 through the grid like air inlet ports 313a formed atthe upper wall of the fan case 313. The introduced air passes throughthe blower nozzle 330 and is blown outside out of the air blowing port330a. In the vacuum mode, the change-over valve 373 is changed over tothe vacuum mode position. However, similar to the blower mode, therotation of the fan 319 introduces air into the fan case 313 through theair inlet ports 313a, and the introduced air passes through the blowernozzle 330 and is directed toward the air blowing port 330a. The airimpinges on the change-over valve 373 and is turned reversely asindicated by an arrow A in FIG. 15. Thus, the air is fed into the vacuumnozzle 340. Because of the air stream, ambient air around the suctionport 340a of the vacuum nozzle 340 is sucked because of the creation ofnegative pressure into the vacuum nozzle 340 as indicated by arrows B.Accordingly, dust can be sucked from the suction port 330a and thesucked dust is directed toward the cutter blade 318 as indicated byarrows C and is pulverized thereat, and is then collected in the dustcollection bag 350.

However, in the conventional blower-vacuum apparatus shown in FIG. 15,powerful suction force cannot be provided, because suction of ambientair is achieved by the air stream similar to the dust collectionapparatus described in the Japanese laid open Utility Model applicationpublication No. Hei 3-92454. Further, dust may become entangled with thechange-over valve rotatably supported at the air blowing port 330a sothat change in operation mode may become difficult or impossible toperform.

It is therefore, an object of the present invention to provide ablower-vacuum apparatus capable of providing a strong suction force witha direct suction of air from a vacuum nozzle by rotation of a fanwithout utilization of suction of ambient air around the air stream, andcapable of performing a smooth mode changing operation without adhesionor entanglement of dust in a change-over mechanism.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

These and other objects of the present invention will be attained byproviding a blower-vacuum apparatus including a main body, a blowernozzle having one end connected to the main body and another end formedwith a blower port, a vacuum nozzle extending in parallel with andprovided integrally with the blower nozzle, the vacuum nozzle having oneend connected to the main body and another end formed with a suctionport, a fan rotatably supported in the main body, a dust bag connectedto the main body for receiving dust laden air which has been passingthrough an entire length of the vacuum nozzle from the suction port andfor collecting the dust, and the improvement comprising a change-overmechanism 60 provided in the main body 10, 13, 14, 15 for selectivelyproviding one of a vacuum mode position in which the air sucked from thesuction port 40a is directed to the dust bag 50 and a blower modeposition in which the sucked air is directed to the blower nozzle 30,the air being directly sucked exclusively from the suction port 40aduring the vacuum mode by the rotation of the fan 19.

With this arrangement, ambient air is not sucked by the air stream, butair is directly sucked exclusively from the suction port of the vacuumnozzle upon rotation of the fan, and therefore sufficient suction forceis provided. Further, fixedly held vacuum and blower nozzles are usedduring both the vacuum mode and blower mode. Accordingly, exchange incomponents is not required at every switching between the vacuum modeand the blower mode. Furthermore, since the vacuum mode operation is notperformed concurrently with the blower mode operation but theseoperations are carried out independently of each other, the probabilityof mixing of dust with the blowing air can be reduced.

The change-over mechanism 60 preferably includes a change-over lever 61positioned outside of the main body 15 and pivotally movably supportedto the main body 15 at its supporting portion, a shield member 71, 71Arotatably disposed in the main body 15 and connected to the change-overlever 61 for passing or blocking the sucked air, the shield member 71,71A having a wall portion 72 in confrontation with the supportingportion of the main body 15, and preferably, a guard member 81, 81B ispositioned in the main body 15 and fixed thereto for preventing the dustfrom entering a space between the wall portion 72 and the supportingportion where the change-over lever 61 is supported. The wall portion 72is covered by the guard member 81, 81B. Furthermore, the blower port 30apreferably has a cross-sectional area smaller than that of the suctionport 40a.

With this structure, because the guard member is provided, change-overoperation of the change-over mechanism is never obstructed by the entryof the dust into the change-over mechanism. Thus, change-over operationsbetween the blower mode and the vacuum mode can be smoothly performed.Because the cross-sectional area of the blower port is smaller than thatof the suction port, air velocity blowing out of the blower nozzleduring the blower mode is higher than air velocity sucked into thevacuum nozzle. Accordingly, leaves and large trash are blown away, andnot sucked in through the suction port.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided ablower-vacuum apparatus including a housing 113 having an airintroduction port 113b for air blowing and a dust port 118 for airsuction, an impeller 119 having an air inlet side 119b and an air blowerside 119a, the air inlet side 119b being selectively communicable withthe air introduction port 113b and the air blower side 119a beingselectively communicable with the dust port 118, a motor 120 for drivingthe impeller 119, a vacuum nozzle 140 connected to the housing 113adjacent the inlet side 119b of the impeller 119, a blower nozzle 130connected to the housing 113 adjacent the blower side 119a of theimpeller 119, a first shield member 173 for selectively opening andclosing the air introduction port 113b, the air inlet side 119b being influid communication with the vacuum nozzle 140 when the first shieldmember 173 closes the air introduction port 113b, and the air inlet side119b being shut off from the vacuum nozzle 140 when the first shieldmember 173 opens the air introduction port 113b, and a second shieldmember 174 for selectively opening and closing the dust port 118, theair blower side 119a being in fluid communication with the blower nozzle130 when the second shield member 174 closes the dust port 118, and theair blower side 119a being shut off from the blower nozzle 130 when thesecond shield member 174 opens the dust port 118.

In accordance with the present invention, there is further provided ablower vacuum apparatus including the above described housing, theimpeller, the motor, the vacuum nozzle, the blower nozzle, a firstshield member switchable between a first position where the first shieldmember closes the air introduction port and provides fluid communicationbetween the vacuum nozzle and the air inlet side and a second positionwhere the first shield member opens the air introduction port and shutsoff a fluid communication between the vacuum nozzle and the air inletside, and a second shield member switchable between a first switchposition where the second shield member opens the dust port and shutsoff a fluid communication between the blower nozzle and the blower sideand a second switch position where the second shield member closes thedust port and provides a fluid communication between the blower nozzleand the blower side, and change-over interlocking means 260 forinterlockingly switching the second shield member to its first switchposition upon switching of the first shield member to its first positionfor providing a vacuum mode, and for interlockingly switching the secondshield member to its second switch position upon switching of the firstshield member to its second position for providing a blower mode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a partially cross-sectional side view showing a blower-vacuumapparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the blower-vacuum apparatus inits vacuum mode according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III--III of FIG.2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the blower-vacuum apparatus inits blower mode according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line V--V of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing an essential portion ofthe blower-vacuum apparatus according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a partial side view showing a change-over mechanism in theblower-vacuum apparatus according to the first embodiment;

FIGS. 8A through 8C are views for description of operational order forlocking the vacuum mode in the blower-vacuum apparatus according to thefirst embodiment and in which:

FIG. 8A shows a state in which a projecting portion of a change-overlever is riding on a slanting portion of a resilient member;

FIG. 8B shows a state in which the projecting portion has just climbedup a top of the resilient member; and

FIG. 8C shows a state in which the projecting portion is brought intoengagement with a recessed portion of the resilient member;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing a shield member and aguard member used in a blower-vacuum apparatus according to a secondembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a blower-vacuum apparatus in itsvacuum mode according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing the blower-vacuum apparatus in itsblower mode according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a side view showing the blower-vacuum apparatus according tothe third embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a blower-vacuum apparatus in itsblower mode according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the blower-vacuum apparatus in itsvacuum mode according to the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional blower-vacuumapparatus in its vacuum mode; and

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing the conventional blower-vacuumapparatus in its blower mode.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A blower-vacuum apparatus according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 8. Theblower-vacuum apparatus 1 includes a main body 10, a blower nozzle 30connected to the main body 10, a vacuum nozzle 40, and a dust bag 50.The main body 10 has an upper portion provided with a handle 12 to whicha power cord 11 is connected. The main body 10 integrally provides a fancase 13, a motor case 14 positioned behind the fan case 13, and a branchchamber 15 positioned below the fan case 13.

A suction collar 16 is provided in front of the fan case 13 for allowinga rear portion of the vacuum nozzle 40 to be inserted thereinto.Further, a blower collar 17 is provided in front of the branch chamber15 for allowing a rear portion of the blower nozzle 30 to be insertedthereinto. The suction collar 16 and the blower collar 17 are arrangedin vertical alignment. A dust port 18 is formed at a lower portion ofthe branch chamber 15. A fan 19 is rotatably disposed in the fan case13, and a motor 20 is accommodated in the motor case 14. The motor hasan output shaft 21 connected to the fan 19. The fan 19 has an acutelyangled edge serving as a cutter, so that the fan can pulverizerelatively large trash into small pieces when the trash passes throughthe fan 19. As shown in FIG. 3, a scrolled air passage 13a is formedbetween the fan 19 and the fan case 13 and running from the suctioncollar 16 to the branch chamber 15.

A front end of the blower nozzle 30 serves as a blower port 30a, and therear end of the blower nozzle 30 is inserted into the collar 17.Further, the vacuum nozzle 40 is provided integrally with the blowernozzle 30 so as to extend parallel with the blower nozzle 30. A frontend of the vacuum nozzle 40 serves as a vacuum port 40a, and the rearend of the vacuum nozzle is inserted into the collar 16. The blowernozzle 30 and the vacuum nozzle 40 have elongated configurations. Theblower nozzle 30 is tapered such that a diameter thereof is graduallyreduced toward the blower port 30a in order to increase air velocityblowing through the blower nozzle 30. On the other hand, the vacuumnozzle 40 has a constant diameter along its length. The dust port 18 ofthe branch chamber 15 is fitted with a dust nozzle 51 to which the dustbag 50 is connected. Incidentally, the main body 10 is constituted bycomplementary halves, and as shown in FIG. 6, the branch chamber 15 isdivided into a right side branch chamber 15A and a left side branchchamber 15B, and the dust nozzle 51 is divided into a right side dustnozzle 51A and a left side dust nozzle 51B.

A change-over mechanism 60 is provided at the branch chamber 15. Thechange-over mechanism 60 primarily includes a change-over lever 61, ashield member 71, and a guard plate 81. The change-over lever 61 isrotatably supported to an outer side of the branch chamber 15. The lever61 includes a knob portion 62 and is formed with a thread hole 64through which a screw 63 extends. A projecting portion 65 (FIG. 8)protrudes toward a wall of the branch chamber 15 from a surface of thechange-over lever 61, the surface being in confrontation with the wallof the branch chamber 15.

The branch chamber 15 is formed with a central opening 15a and anarcuate recess 15b concentric therewith. Further, a pair of arcuateresilient plates 91, 92 are provided concentrically with the centralopening 15a and at symmetrical positions so as to equally subdivide thearcuate recess 15b. The arcuate recess 15b is adapted to enable a userto recognize the rotational limits of the knob portion 62 as shown inFIG. 1. Each resilient plate 91, 92 includes a slant surface 91a, 92aand a top portion 91b, 92b contiguous with the slant surface. Each topportion 91b, 92b is formed with a concave portion 91c, 92c with which afree end of the projecting portion 65 is resiliently engageable. Ablower mode is entered when the projecting portion 65 is brought intoengagement with the concave portion 91c upon rotation of the change-overlever 61, and a vacuum mode is entered when the projecting portion 65and the concave portion 92c engage.

The shield member 71 is rotatably disposed within the branch chamber 15and includes a top plate 72 and a shielding portion 73. The top plate 72has a generally circular shape with a partially cut away portion, and isprovided with a cylindrical protrusion 74 threadingly engaged with thescrew 63 extending through the central opening 15a. The top plate 72 isformed with an arcuate slot 72a concentric with the cylindricalprotrusion 74. Accordingly, the change-over lever 61 is integrallyconnected to the shield member 71 by means of the screw 63. Theshielding portion 73 serves to shut off air stream, and has a hollowcylindrical shape with a partially cut away portion. Further, a circularopening 73a is formed in the cylindrical wall. The shielding member 71can be switched between a vacuum mode position (FIGS. 2 and 3) in whichthe shielding portion 73 shuts off the opening of the collar 17 and thecircular opening 73a is in communication with the dust port 18, and ablower mode position (FIGS. 4 and 5) in which the shielding portion 73shuts off the dust port 18.

The guard plate 81 is positioned internally of the top plate 72 forcovering a major surface and a peripheral edge portion 72b of the topplate 72. This arrangement can prevent dust contained in the air passingthrough the branch chamber 15 from being entered into a space betweenthe top plate 72 and the wall of the branch chamber 15 and between thewall of the branch chamber 15 and the change-over lever 61. Therefore,change-over operation of the change-over lever will not be obstructed bydust. The guard plate 81 has a pair of threaded portions 82, 82 and asingle threaded portion 83. A pair of screws 84, 84 extend through thewall of the branch chamber 15 and are threadingly engaged with the pairof treaded portions 82, 82. The screw 85 is threadingly engaged with thethreaded portion 83, extends through the arcuate slot 72a, and isthreadingly engaged with a threaded boss 15A provided at the wall of thebranch chamber 15. Thus, the guard plate 81 is fixed to the branchchamber 15. The arcuate slot 72a is required, so that the screw 85 willnot interrupt the rotation of the shield member 71. The guide plate 81has a deflection surface 81a facing the air passage 13a of the fan case13 for smoothly introducing air supplied from the air passage 13a intothe branch chamber 15.

With this arrangement, in a state where the projecting portion 65 of thechange-over lever 61 is engaged with the concave portion 92c, the vacuummode is maintained where the shield member 71 is maintained at itsvacuum mode position. That is, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the shieldingportion 73 of the shield member 71 shuts off the opening of the cover 17while the circular opening 73a is in communication with the dust port18. With this state, if the motor 20 is energized upon turning ON astart switch not shown, the fan 19 is rotated, so that the air and dustare sucked through the suction port 40a of the vacuum nozzle 40 and areintroduced into the fan case 13 where the dust pulverized by the fan 19.Then, the air and dust pass through the scrolled passage 13a and reachthe branch chamber 15.

In this case, the deflection surface 81a of the guard plate 81 smoothlyguide the air and the dust, and at the same time, dust can be preventedfrom entering into the space between the top plate 72 and the wall ofthe branch chamber 15 because the guard plate 81 covers the top plateportion 72 of the shield member 72. Thus, change-over operation of thechange-over mechanism 60 can be maintained. Because the shieldingportion 73 of the shield member 71 shuts off the opening of the collar17, the sucked air and dust do not enter into the blower nozzle 30, butis smoothly introduced into the dust bag 50 through the circular opening73a of the shield member 71, the dust port 18, and the dust nozzle 51.

Next, if the knob portion 62 of the change-over lever 62 is rotated in acounterclockwise direction in FIG. 7 from the state where the projectingportion 65 of the change-over lever 61 engages the concave portion 92c,the free end of the projecting portion 65 is disengaged from the concaveportion 92c and then, as shown in FIGS. 8A through 8C, the free end ofthe projecting portion 65 gradually slides up and over the slant surface91a and finally engages with the concave portion 91c. By thisengagement, the blower mode is maintained. By the rotation of thechange-over lever 61, the shield member 71 is also rotated within thebranch chamber 15, so that its shielding portion 73 shuts off the dustport 18. In this state, the shielding portion 73 is not in confrontationwith the opening of the collar 17. Thus, the fan case 13 is incommunication with the blower nozzle 30 while the fan case 13 is out ofcommunication with the dust bag 50.

With this state, if the motor 20 is energized, the fan 19 is rotated asin the vacuum mode, so that air is sucked through the suction port 40aof the vacuum nozzle 40 and introduced into the fan case 13. The suckedair passes through the scrolled passage 13a and reaches the branchchamber 15. The air is then introduced into the blower nozzle 30 throughthe opening of the collar 17, and is blown from the blower port 30a.Because air is sucked from the suction port 40a of the vacuum nozzleeven during the blower mode, and therefore, there is a possibility thatdust may be sucked in with the air. However, since the blower nozzle 30has a tapered configuration in which its diameter gradually declinestoward the blower port, air velocity blowing from the blower nozzle 30is higher than air velocity sucked into the vacuum nozzle 40.Accordingly, large dust and the like will not be sucked in through thesuction port 40a during the blower mode.

A blower-vacuum apparatus according to a second embodiment of thepresent invention will next be described with reference to FIG. 9. Thesecond embodiment pertains to a modification to the shield member 71 andthe guard plate 81 of the first embodiment. Other configuration isidentical with that of the first embodiment. That is, in the secondembodiment, a shield member 71A is an L-shaped bending tube having oneend formed with an opening 73C selectively communicable with one of theopening of the collar 17 and the dust port depending upon the rotationof the change-over lever 61, and having another end formed with anopening 73D which is normally open to the scrolled air passage 13a. Aprotrusion 74A protrudes from the bending portion so that the shieldmember is connected to the change-over lever 61. Further, the guardmember 81A is fixed to the left side branch chamber 15B by means of ascrew not shown. The guard member 81A is formed with an opening 81Aathrough which the other open end 73D passes. The guard member 81Aprovides a guard plate 81B which covers the shield member 71A. The guardplate 81B prevents the dust contained in the air in the branch chamber15 from entering into the protruding portion 74A and degradingrotational movement of the shield member 71A.

A blower-vacuum apparatus according to a third embodiment of the presentinvention will next be described with reference to FIGS. 10 through 12.As shown FIG. 12, the blower-vacuum apparatus 101 of the thirdembodiment also includes a blower nozzle 130 having a front blower port130a and a vacuum nozzle 140 having a front suction port 140a. Theblower and vacuum nozzles 130, 140 extend in parallel with each otherand are provided integrally with a housing 113. A handle 112 isintegrally provided with the housing 113, and a change-over lever 161 isprovided to the housing 113 for changing operation mode between blowermode and vacuum mode.

The housing 113 accommodates therein a motor 120 and an impeller 119connected to an output shaft of the motor. If the impeller 119 is madeof a durable plastic material, leaves and most debris entering theapparatus can be comminuted. If the impeller is formed from a steelblade, a more durable comminuting means can be provided.

The output shaft of the motor 120 extends in a direction perpendicularto the blower nozzle 130 and the vacuum nozzle 140. An air blower side119a is provided at a peripheral portion of the impeller 119 and inconfrontation with the blower nozzle. Further, an air inlet side 119b isprovided at an upper portion of the impeller 119 and in communicationwith the one end of the vacuum nozzle 140. The housing 113 is formedwith an air inlet port 113a. Therefore, if the impeller 119 is rotated,air is sucked from the air inlet side 119b of the impeller 119 and thesucked air is discharged from the air blower side 119a of the impeller119.

An air introduction port 113b is formed at an upper portion of thehousing 113 and at the end of the vacuum nozzle 140. In the vacuumnozzle 140 a first shield plate 173 is pivotally movably supported. Thatis, the first shield plate 173 is pivotally movable by a change-overlever 161 between a vacuum mode position, in which the first shieldplate shields the air introduction port 113b, and a blower modeposition, in which the first shield plate opens the air introductionport 113b and blocks fluid communication between the vacuum nozzle 140and the impeller 119.

A dust port 118 is formed in the housing 113 at a position close to abase end of the blower nozzle 130, and a dust bag 150 is connected tothe housing at a position below the dust port 118. The dust bag 150 isformed from a porous material whose porosity is sufficient to allow airto pass therethrough but also sufficient to impede the flow ofpulverized leaves, dirt and dust therethrough. Further, a second shieldmember 174 is pivotally movably provided in the housing for selectivelyshielding the dust port 118. That is, the second shield plate 174 ismovable between a vacuum mode position and a blower mode position. Inthe vacuum mode position communication between the blower nozzle 130 andthe impeller 119 is blocked by the second shield plate 174 when thefirst shield plate 173 is at its vacuum mode position. In the blowermode position the dust port 118 is blocked by the second shield plate174 when the first shield plate 173 is at its blower mode position.

Under the operation of the vacuum mode as shown in FIG. 10, the firstshield plate 173 shields the air introduction port 113b, and as aresult, the suction port 140a is in fluid communication with theimpeller 119. That is, the air inlet side 119a of the impeller 119 is influid communication with the suction port 140a of the vacuum nozzle 140Further, the second shield plate 174 blocks the blower nozzle 130 andopens the dust port 118. That is, the air blower side 119a of theimpeller 119 is in communication with the dust bag 150. Therefore, ifthe impeller 119 is rotated, air is not introduced through the airintroduction port 113b, but air is introduced through the suction port140a of the vacuum nozzle 140 The sucked air, leaves and organicdeposits are then pulverized at the impeller 119, i.e., mulching isperformed. The thus pulverized material passes through the dust port 118and is collected in the dust bag 150.

On the other hand, during the blower mode operation shown in FIG. 11,the first shield plate 173 opens the air introduction port 113b, andblocks fluid communication between the suction port 140a and theimpeller 119. Further, the second shield plate 174 provides fluidcommunication between the blower port 130a of the blower nozzle and theair blower side 119a of the impeller 119, and blocks the dust port 118.Accordingly, if the impeller 119 is rotated, air is sucked through theair introduction port 113b positioned spaced away from the suction port140a, and the sucked air is not directed into the dust bag 150 but isdirected toward the blower port 130a.

A blower-vacuum apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of thepresent invention will next be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and14. In the fourth embodiment, a change-over mechanism 260 for switchingbetween the air blow and suction is provided as a single assembly, and avacuum nozzle, a blower nozzle, and a main body accommodating therein amotor and a fan are detachably provided to the assembly.

The change-over mechanism 260 has a housing 260A provided with a vacuumnozzle connecting portion 140A and a blower nozzle connecting portion130A. The housing 260A has an upper arcuate portion where a plurality ofair introduction ports 213b are formed. Further, a change-over lever 261is pivotally movably disposed in the housing 260A. The change-over lever261 is integrally provided with an arcuate shield plate 273 whose shapeis in conformance with the upper arcuate portion of the housing 260A.The shield plate 273 is movable by the pivotal movement of thechange-over lever between a blower mode position where the shield plateshuts off the vacuum nozzle connecting portion 140A and a vacuum modeposition where the shield plate shuts off the air introduction ports213b.

Another shielding member 274 is movably provided in an interlockingrelation with the pivotal movement of the change-over lever 261 forselectively shielding the blower nozzle connecting portion 130A, themoving direction of the shielding member 274 being in a longitudinaldirection of the blower nozzle. That is, the housing 260 has an opening130B coaxial with the blower nozzle connecting portion 130A. If thechange-over lever 261 is pivotally moved to the blower mode positionshown in FIG. 13, the shielding member 274 is moved away from theopening 130B in order to open the opening 130B, and simultaneously, abottom portion 274A of the shielding member 274 shuts off a dust port(not shown). If the change-over lever 261 is pivotally moved to thevacuum mode position shown in FIG. 14, the shielding member 274 is movedfor shutting off the opening 130B and for opening the dust port.

As shown in FIG. 13, if the change-over lever 261 is frontwardly tilted,the air introduction ports 213 are open, while the shield plate 273shuts off the vacuum nozzle connecting portion 140A. Simultaneously, theshielding member 274 is moved rightwardly in FIG. 13 for opening theopening 130B. Accordingly, external air is introduced into the housingthrough the air introduction ports 213b, passes through the impeller(not shown) and then through the opening 130B, and is directed to theblower nozzle (not shown). On the other hand as shown in FIG. 14, if thechange-over lever 261 is tilted rearwardly, the air introduction ports213b are blocked by the shield plate 273 and the vacuum nozzleconnecting portion 140A is opened. Simultaneously, the shielding member274 is moved leftwardly for blocking the opening 130B.

The present invention is not limited to the above described embodiment,but various changes and modifications may be made therein withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. For example, according to thefirst and second embodiments, air sucked from the suction port 40a ofthe vacuum nozzle 40 is introduced into the blower nozzle 30 by thechange-over mechanism 60 in the blower mode. However as a modification,a rotation axis of the fan is directed perpendicular to the longitudinaldirection of the vacuum nozzle 40 and the blower nozzle 30, and a fan isdisposed at an upper portion of a fan case and an air inlet port isformed at the upper portion of the fan case. Further, a change-overmechanism is provided for opening and closing the air inlet port and foropening and closing the vacuum nozzle. In the blower mode, while thevacuum nozzle is closed and the air inlet port is opened by thechange-over mechanism, the air is sucked through the air inlet port bythe rotation of the fan and the sucked air is introduced into the blowernozzle. With this arrangement, suction of dust from the suction port ofthe vacuum nozzle can be avoided in the blower mode.

Further, as a modification to the shield member 71 in the firstembodiment, an annular rib outwardly protruding from the peripheralsurface of the shielding portion can be integrally formed around acontour of the circular opening 73a, and the annular rib may be providedengageably with the dust port 18 or the collar 17 because of resilientdeformation. With such a structure, leakage of dust can be eliminated.

Furthermore as a modification to the guard member 81 in the firstembodiment, a skirt-like sleeve portion can be provided to avoidscattering of the dust toward any portion in the apparatus. Morespecifically in the guard member 81 shown in FIG. 6, a skirt-like sleeveportion is integrally suspended from the generally circular edge portionof the guard member, so that the cylindrical shielding portion 73 of theshield member 71 surrounds the skirt-like sleeve portion. Further, theskirt portion is formed with a pair of circular holes having shapes inconformance with the circular opening 73a of the shield member 71, thepair of circular holes being displaced by 90 degrees to each other in acircumferential direction of the skirt portion so as to secure fluidpassage directing to either the dust bag 50 or the blower nozzle 30 inaccordance with the change-over operation of the shield member 71. Withthis arrangement, the skirt portion serves as a blocking wall whichprevents the dust from directly impinging against the wall of the branchchamber 15, and as a result, dust can be prevented from scatteringaround in the apparatus.

Moreover, in this case, the skirt portion can be formed integrally withoutwardly projecting annular ribs around the pair of circular holes.With this arrangement, the shield member 71 is rotatingly moved whilesliding over end faces of the annular ribs, that is, a gap with adistance corresponding to the protruding length of the annular ribs isprovided between the shield member 71 and the skirt-like sleeve portion.Accordingly, even if dust enters between the skirt-like sleeve portionand the shield member, damage to the sliding surface can be reduced anddust removal work can be facilitated. This is an advantage of theskirt-like sleeve portion having annular ribs over the direct slidingarrangement in which the inner peripheral surface of the shield memberis in direct contact with the outer peripheral surface of the skirt likesleeve due to the non provision of the annular ribs.

Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the shield plates 173 and 174 arepivotally moved by the change-over lever 161. However, separatechange-over mechanisms can be provided for respectively controlling thepivotal movement of these shield plates.

INDUSTRIAL APPLIABILITY

As described above, the blower-vacuum apparatus according to the presentinvention is particularly advantageous in removing leaves, twigs, grassclippings and other organic accumulation from the surface of lawns andpatios, while providing excellent portability and operability.

What is claimed is:
 1. A blower-vacuum apparatus comprising:a housinghaving an air introduction port for air blowing and a dust port for airsuction; an impeller having an air inlet side and an air blower side,the air inlet side being selectively communicable with the airintroduction port and the air blower side being selectively communicablewith the dust port; a motor for driving the impeller; a vacuum nozzleconnected to the housing adjacent the inlet side of the impeller; ablower nozzle connected to the housing adjacent the blower side of theimpeller; a first shield member for selectively opening and closing theair introduction port, the air inlet side being in fluid communicationwith the vacuum nozzle when the first shield member closes the airintroduction port, and the air inlet side being shut off from the vacuumnozzle when the first shield member opens the air introduction port; anda second shield member for selectively opening and closing the dustport, the air blower side being in fluid communication with the blowernozzle when the second shield member closes the dust port, and the airblower side being shut off from the blower nozzle when the second shieldmember opens the dust port.
 2. A blower-vacuum apparatus comprising:ahousing having a blower air inlet and a vacuum outlet; an impellerhaving a suction side in selective fluid flow communication with the airinlet and a blower side in selective fluid flow communication with thevacuum outlet; a motor for operating the impeller; an air inlet tubeconnected to the housing in selective fluid communication with thesuction side of the impeller; a blower tube connected to the housing inselective fluid communication with the blower side of the impeller; afirst control gate for selectively opening and closing the blower airinlet to respectively place the suction side of the impeller in fluidflow communication with the blower air inlet or the air inlet tube; anda second control gate for selectively opening the blower tube andclosing the vacuum outlet to place the blower side of the impeller influid flow communication with the blower tube to adapt the apparatus asa blower or for closing the blower tube and opening the vacuum outlet toplace the blower side of the impeller in fluid flow communication withthe vacuum outlet to adapt the apparatus as a vacuum.
 3. Theblower-vacuum apparatus of claim 2 wherein the impeller includescomminuting means to comminute leaves when the apparatus is adapted as avacuum.
 4. The blower-vacuum apparatus of claim 2 including a manualswitch exposed on the outside of said housing and having means connectedto said first and second control gates to move said control gatesconcurrently to adapt the apparatus as a blower or as a vacuum.
 5. Theblower-vacuum apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a bag operativelyconnected to the vacuum outlet for collection of leaves.
 6. Ablower-vacuum system comprising:a housing; a motor disposed within thehousing; an impeller operatively connected to the motor; an air inlettube connected from the outside of the system in selective fluidcommunication with the housing for use in a vacuum mode; a blower tubeconnected to the outside of the system in selective fluid communicationwith the housing for use in a blower mode; and flow diverting means insaid tubes for selectively switching the system between said blower modeand said vacuum mode, wherein air is drawn into the air inlet tubedirectly from outside the system when the system is adapted as a vacuumby switching said flow diverting means to said vacuum mode and whereinair is blown to the outside of the system through the blower tube byswitching said flow diverting means to said blower mode.
 7. Theblower-vacuum system of claim 6 wherein the impeller includescomminuting means to comminute leaves when the system is adapted as avacuum.
 8. The blower-vacuum system of claim 6 further comprising a bagoperatively connected to the housing for collecting leaves, the baghaving a porosity sufficient to allow airflow therethrough but to impedethe flow of leaves, dirt and dust therethrough.
 9. The blower-vacuumsystem of claim 6 wherein the connection of said air inlet tube and saidblower tube to said housing positions said tubes in an over/underrelationship.
 10. A portable blower-vacuum apparatus which isselectively convertible from a vacuum mode of operation to a blower modeof operation, comprising:a housing, said housing having a blower airinlet and a vacuum air outlet formed therein; a motor disposed withinthe housing; an impeller operatively connected to the motor, theimpeller having a suction side in selective fluid flow communicationwith the blower air inlet and a blower side in selective fluid flowcommunication with the vacuum air outlet; an air inlet tube connected tothe housing in selective fluid communication with the suction side ofthe impeller; a blower tube connected to the housing in selective fluidcommunication with the blower side of the impeller; and first and secondblocking means for selective positioning within the housing, said firstand second blocking means being movable between first and secondoperating positions to convert the system respectively to vacuum modeand blower mode, said first blocking means being movable into blockingrelationship with said blower air inlet and said second blocking meansbeing movable into blocking relationship with said blower tube in saidfirst operating position, and said first blocking means being movableinto blocking relationship with said air inlet tube and said secondblocking means being movable into blocking relationship with said vacuumair outlet in said second operating position.
 11. The portableblower-vacuum apparatus of claim 10 wherein the impeller includescomminuting means to comminute leaves when the apparatus is operated inthe vacuum mode.
 12. The portable blower-vacuum apparatus of claim 11further comprising a bag operatively attached to the vacuum air outletfor collection of leaves therein.
 13. The portable blower-vacuumapparatus of claim 10 wherein said bag has a porosity sufficient toallow air flow therethrough but to impede the flow of leaves, dirt anddust therethrough.
 14. A blower-vacuum apparatus comprising:a housingincluding an air inlet aperture formed therein; a motor disposed withinthe housing; an impeller operatively connected to the motor; an airinlet tube connected to the housing and in selective fluid communicationwith the housing for directing air and debris to the impeller; aninlet-side control gate for alternatively selectively communicating theair inlet aperture and the air inlet tube with the impeller whenswitching between blower and vacuum modes of operation; a blower tubeconnected to the housing adjacent the air inlet tube and in selectivefluid communication with the housing for directing air away from theimpeller; a bag removably connected to the housing adjacent the impellerfor collecting debris; and a blower-side control gate for alternativelyselectively communicating the blower tube and bag with the impeller whenswitching between blower and vacuum modes of operation.